Inkstand



. tion of the same.

UNITED STATES EDWIN J. NIXSGN, OF RED OAK, IOVA.

iNKSTAN D.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 594,893, dated December 7, 1897.

` Application iiled January/19, 1397l Serial No. 619,746. (No model.)

To all whom t may con/cern.-

Be it known that I, EDWIN J. NIXsoN, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Red Oak, inthe county of Montgomery and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Inkstands and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and

exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in thel art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to inkstands, the object of the same being to provide an inkstand which is at all times air-tight, thereby avoiding the loss of ink by evaporation, and is provided With means whereby it can be closed for preventing the entrance of dust to the ink.

The invention consists of an ink-receptacle having an inverted-cone-shaped diaphragm at the upper end thereof provided with a central opening, a ball resting upon said diaphragm and adapted to close the opening therein, a hemispherical or dome-shaped top provided With an opening in one side, and a similarly shaped slidinglymounted cover adapted to close the opening in said top.

The invention also consists in other details of construction and combinations of parts,

which will be more fully hereinafter describe and claimed.

VIn the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure l represents a front elevation of my improved inkstand, the vsame being shown in full lines in its operative position and in dotted lines in its closed position. Fig. 2 is a vertical central longitudinal sec- Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the base or ink-receptacle. Fig. 4is a similar View of the inverted-cone-shaped diaphragm fitting Within the upper end of said base or ink-receptacle,with the rubber gasket removed.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.

The base l of my improved inkstand is cupshaped in form, having an inwardly-extending iange 2 at its upper end. Fitting Within the base-piece l is an inverted-cone-shaped diaphragm 3,havin g a downwardl y-extendin g flange 4 thereon, which is surrounded by a packin g-rin g or gasket 5 of soft rubber to provide a close joint between the base l and said diaphragm. An annular shoulder Gis formed by the iiange 4, which serves as a stop for limiting the inward movement of said diaphragm. The said diaphragm is also formed with a central opening 7. The base l is constructed of glass or other suitable material and the diaphragm 3 0f hard rubber.

In connection With the foregoing parts I employ a ball 8 of hard rubber, which rests upon the top surface of the diaphragm 3 and is adapted to close the opening 7 therein. Fitting upon the upper end ofthe base-piece 1 is a hemispherical or dome-shaped top 9, which is preferably formed of sheet metal and has an opening lO in one side thereof. Surrounding the top 9 and adapted to turn thereon is a supplemental cover l2, which is also provided with an opening 13 in one fside corresponding in shape and dimensions with the opening l0, the said supplemental cover being attached to the top 9 by means of a pivotal bolt 0r pin 14.

The operation of my device is as follows: With the parts in the position in which they are shown in full lines in Fig. l the opening 7 in the diaphragm 3 is closed by the ball 8 and the openings 13 and l0 register with one another, so that free passage for the pen to the inside of the inkstand is provided. In the act of inserting the pen to dip up a quantity of ink the ball 8 is moved to one side, permitting the insertion of the pen through the opening 7, and as soon as the pen is removed the opening is immediately closed by the action of the ball 8 turning by gravity to its normal position. When the inkstand is not in use, the supplemental cover 12 may be turned into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. l, and the opening 10 in the top 9 is closed by the imperforate portion of the supplemental cover 12.

From the foregoing description it Will be seen that I have devised an inkstand which is positive in its action of closing the opening to the inside thereof as soon as the pen has been removed. It is at all times in perfectly air-tight condition, and evaporation of the ink contained in it is effectually prevented. It is also dust-proof and it contains no soft IOO rubber diaphragm which will quickly rot out or decay.

I-Iaving thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. An inkstand having an inverted-coneshaped diaphragm therein provided With a Central opening, a ball resting upon the upper surface of said diaphragm an d adapted to close the opening therein, a dome-shaped top provided With an opening at one side normally inclosing the upper end of said stand, and a slidingly-mounted supplemental cover provided with a similarly-shaped opening, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In an inkstand, the combination With a cup-shaped base or ink-receptacle, of an inverted-cone-shaped diaphragm fitting lwithin the upper end of said base-piece and provided with a central opening, a loose ball resting uponthe top surface of said diaphragm and adapted to close the opening therein, a domeshaped top having a side opening therein attached to the upper end of said base-piece and inclosing said diaphragm and ball, and a supplemental cover having a similarly-shaped opening in one side adapted to register with the opening in said top, said supplemental cover being pivotally connected thereto, substantially as and for the purpose described.

8. In an inkstand, the combination with a cup-shaped base or ink-receptacle having an internal annular iiange at its upper end, of an invertedcone-shaped diaphragm having a central openin g therein and an annular flange adapted to fit within the upper end of said base-piece, a rubber packing ring or gasket surrounding the flange on said diaphragm and engaging the internal flange on said basepiece, a ball resting upon the top surface of said diaphragm and adapted to close the opening therein, a dome-shaped top having a side opening therein attached to the upper end of said base-piece and inclosin g said diaphragm and ball, and a supplemental cover having a similarly-shaped opening in one side adapted to register with the opening in said top, said supplemental coverbeingpivotally connected thereto, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

EDWIN J. NIXSON.

V'Vitnesses:

F. M. BYRKIT, C. F. CLARKE. 

